by The Fish

For part two of our blog series, we will focus on another major benefit of teaching children to love swimming: Aquatics stimulates child brain development.

One of the first sensory systems a child develops is the vestibular system. Located mainly in the inner ear, this system of nerves provides a sense of balance, movement coordination, and orientation. Because water is such a unique environment, swimming is an ideal activity to hone the senses of the vestibular system.

When a swimmer is flipping, turning, and jumping, the brain is forced to work harder to orient itself and find balance. As highlighted by a recent European study, the process is similar to exercising a muscle, except in this case the “muscle” is motor skills, dexterity and equilibrium.

Strengthening the vestibular system improves not just these areas, but can also stimulate the development of other senses as well as learning abilities.

As a child slides down the slide, jumps into the pool, rolls over into a back float, or dives down to grab a toy, his sense of equilibrium grows and instability is lessened. Movement will become less intimidating, which leads to greater physical independence. Not only will he become more effective in the water, but he will also be more eager to explore the world around him. Because he will be less nervous about new experiences, his curiosity will lead him to new challenges, promoting problem solving and learning capacity.

Conversely, this is why it’s best not to consistently leave children in car seats, playpens and carriers for long periods of time. It slows their sensory growth and can possibly bring about learning disabilities.

Fortunately, swimming can have the opposite effect, helping your child become healthy and engaged in the world around them.